Earlier today, we reported on news that Sony was planning to generate revenue from a new subscription model on the PlayStation Network. The bad news is, it looks like the PSN is indeed going the "Xbox Live" route some time in the future. The good news, however, is that it won't affect online play. Phew!

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network," states Sony overlord Kaz Hirai. "Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."

So, the meat of it is that online play will remain free, but that it will be added to with this new subscription that Sony's hoping to conjure, whatever that may entail. Hopefully it will be like Qore -- inherently useless, meaning people who just want to play online won't feel they're missing something.

It will be interesting finding out exactly how Sony expects to swindle some cash for itself with this new venture.

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